Third Edition of the Coastal Defense Exercise 'Sea Vigil': All You Need to Know

This year, the third edition of the "Pan India" coastal defense exercise "Sea Vigil-22" was held on November 15-16, 2022. This national-level coastal defense exercise was conceptualized in 2018 to validate the various measures that have been instituted towards enhancing security after the "26/11" attack. The concept of "Sea Vigil" is to activate the coastal areas apparatus all over India and evaluate the overarching Coastal Defense Mechanism, with coastal security being a major subset of the Coastal Defense construct. This exercise will be undertaking along the entire 7516 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone.

POINT TO BE NOTED

• This year the third edition of the e "Sea Vigil'- 22 is all prepared to start on the eastern seaboard as part of three nation-wide coastal defense exercise from November 15.
• "Sea Vigil" is conceptualized in 2018 to validate various measures that have been implemented toward increasing the efficacy of maritime security since the November 26 Mumbai attack.
• This exercise will be undertaken along the 7,516 km coastline of the country, covering the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India. It will involve all the coastal states, union territories, and other maritime stakeholders, including fishing and coastal communities.
• The exercise is being coordinated by the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), and the Ministries, which are entrusted with the task of maritime activities.
• Sea Vigil and Tropex will cover the entire spectrum of maritime security challenges. Assemblies of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Customs, and other maritime agencies will participate in exercise.
• Sea vigil evaluate and provides the opportunity at the apex level to evaluate the preparedness in the domain of maritime security as well as coastal defense. This year, the 3rd edition of Sea Vigil is happening, which will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of maritime and national security further.
• This is a two-day exercise organized by the Indian Navy and coordinated by the Indian Coast Guard and other maritime ministries and agencies.
• Along with the Ministry of Defense, the other stakeholders include the Ministries of Home Affairs, Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, Customs, and other government agencies.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SEA VIGIL

• The aim of the sea vigil is to enhance the coastal security apparatus across India and also to evaluate the coastal defense mechanism, and according to the Indian Navy, it is a buildup towards the 'Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX)". TROPEX is held every two years.
• However, Ex Tropex and Sea Vigil will be able to cover the whole range of maritime security challenges. Earlier, Sea Vigil, which includes the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and other military agencies, will be deployed. The drill was conducted by the ministry of defense along with the ministries of home affairs, fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairy, ports, shipping, and waterways, customs, and other agencies of the Center for State Petroleum and Natural Gas.

INDIAN NAVY'S 2ND EDITION OF COASTAL DEFENCE EXERCISE 'SEA VIGIL-21'

The Indian Navy organized the second edition of the biennial pan India coastal defense exercise: Sea Vigil"' January 12 and 13.
The whole coastline was kept under watch by Indian Navy and Coast Guard aircraft, and helicopters were also pressed into service to reinforce special; operations personnel operating onboard offshore platforms.